Device for distributing sand



J. MACGREGOR.

DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24. 1918. RENEWED NOV. 9. 1920.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

ATTORNEY UNITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed October 24, 1918, Serial No. 259,542. Renewed November9, 1920. Serial No. 422,970.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known, that I, JAMES MAoGRncoR, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at the town of Braintree, in the county of Norfolk andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Distributlng Sand, of which the following isa spec1fica non.

My invention relates to a device for uniformly spreading or distributinga layer of stone, screenings, sand, cement, lime, phosphate or anysimilar material where such is required and the object of my in ventionis to provide a rapid and efliclent means for distributing a uniformlayer of sand over the surface of a freshly oiled or tarred highway;together with such other elements and combinations as are hereinaftermore particularly set forth.

I accomplish these objects by means of the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my device.

Fig. 2 is a side view or elevation with the near side of the bodyremoved to show the interior.

Fig. 3 is a rear view with the seat and crank shaft not shown.

Fig. 4: is a bottom view.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the method of moving the screen.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the gears used to regulate the rate ofdistributlon of the material.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The ordinary method of applying the blotting coat on a highway, withshovels, is slow and it is im ossible to secure a uniform distribution.y device will be particularly useful in cities where it is cus tomary toapply a thin layer of sharp sand on smooth pavements which, because ofme or sleet thereon, make traflic precarious, and the farmer or gardenermay use it 1 n spreading plaster or phosphate over his land.

1, represents the floor of a truck or wagon upon which my device may beconstructed. 2, is the bottom of the hopper into wh ch the material isplaced, one end of which may be elevated by the screws 3,.to g ve theproper slope. The bottom, 2, is hmged at the lower end by hinge, 22. 4and 5, are

the. sides of the body of the wagon which may form the sides of thehopper.

At the lower end of the adjustable bottom, 2, the floor, 1, is cut awayforming a rectangular opening extending across the bottom of the hopper.Beneath the opening 1s the screen or sifter, 6,-which slideshorizontally in the guides, 7 7 Attached to the 7 forward end of thescreen, 6, is the connectlng rod 8, operated by the crank shaft, 9,whlch 1s in turn revolved by the chains, 10, 10, driving the sprocketwheels, 11, 11, by means of the sprocket wheels, 12, 12, which derivetheir power from the rear wheels, 13, 13, of the truck or wagon to whichthey are attached.

It will appear from this arrangement that the rear wheels of the truckor wagon, revolving as the vehicle is drawn or propelled, Wlll transmita reciprocating motion to the screen, 6, between the guides, 7, 7, andthe material falling from the hopper on to the screen will be siftedthrough and fall upon the ground.

In order to regulate the rate at which the material fiowsfrom the hopperto the screen, 6, I provide the following means for controlling thewidth of the opening in the bottom of the hopper. 14, is a hand wheelfor the operator, who sits in the seat, 15. Attached to the shaft of thehand wheel is a car, 16, which meshes with the ears, 17, 1 on eitherside. The gears, 17, 1 are attached to and operate screws, 18, 18, whichthread into a fixture, 19, attached to slide, 20.

It is apparent that by turning the hand wheel, 14, the slide, 20, willbe raised or lowered by the screws 18, 18, and thus regulate the openingin the bottom of the hopper.

In order to protect the controlling gears and screws, I provide a hoodor cover, 21, which is placed over them.

It is to be observed that any size mesh can be placed in the screen, 6,so that the device may be readily adapted to distribute coarse or finematerial.

What I claimas my invention and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a running gear; a body havinga hoppershaped bottom mounted upon said running gear; a dischargeopening in said hopper bottom; means for varying the size of saiddischarge opening; means for varying the incline of a major portion ofsaid hopper bottom; a perforated screen slidably mounted beneath saidopening; a crank shaft rotatively mounted on the under-side of saidbody; a connecting rod joining said screen to said crank shaft, wherebythe rotation of said crank shaft Will impart a reciproeating motion tosaid screen; and means for operating said crank shaft from the Wheels ofthe running gear.

2. In a device of the character described, a body having a hopper bottommounted on said running'gear; a discharge opening in said hopper bottom,one portion of said hopper being hinged near said opening and providedwith means for changmg the angle of incline of said hinged portion; aslide adapted to vary the size of said opening; means for operating bothends of said slide simultaneously from a single hand Wheel; a perforatedscreen slidably mounted beneath said opening; bearings attached to theunderside of said body; a crank shaft rotatively mounted in saidbearings; a connecting rod joining said screen and said -c r ank shaft,whereby the rotation of said crank shaft Will impart a reciprocating motion to said screen; sprocket Wheels mounted on the ends of said crankshaft; sprocket Wheels mounted on an axle of the running gear andadapted to be driven by the Wheels of said running gear; and sprocketchains connecting the sprocket Wheels on the crank shaft With thesprocket Wheels on the axle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

JAMES MACGREGOR.

